Valero Texas Open first round leader stats

The final event before the US Masters sees players head to TPC San Antonio for the Valero Texas Open.

A classic wind-affected Texas course, blustery conditions are set to play a part once again this year, with gusts of 20mph+ forecast for all four days.

Last year there was an ever-so-slight wave advantage favouring the earlier starters, but it was later starter Sam Ryder who fired a superb opening 63 to take the lead.

Take a look at the key first round leader stats ahead of the 2026 Valero Texas Open.

Valero Texas Open first round leader stats

First round leader last five tournaments:

2025 - Sam Ryder - 63
2024 - Akshay Bhatia - 63
2023 - Corey Conners - 64
2022 - Russell Knox - 65
2021 - Camilo Villegas - 64

While windy conditions virtually always play a part at TPC San Antonio, it's important to get on the right side of the wave. In 2025 there was a slight advantage to going out earlier, while in 2024 there was nearly a shot's difference between starting early and late, and in 2023 there was a full stroke advantage for the later starters.

Interestingly, the first round lead hasn't been shared in the last 11 editions, with somebody taking a solo lead into the second round. Even with blustery conditions, a score above the mid-60s is typically unlikely to hold the first round lead. Grayson Murray had the highest first round leader score with 67 in the last nine years, with every other score lower.

In the field, Charley Hoffman has the most top-five finishes in the first round with four. Hoffman, Si Woo Kim, Villegas and Ryder are the four players in the field to have led after the first round.